Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mark Harper and Nicola Richards

Thursday 8th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Harper]

I am pleased that, in his question, the hon. Gentleman sort of welcomed the £500 million that we made available for buses in our announcement last month, which was welcome and provides money to every local authority and to bus companies. There is a formula by which that money is awarded—it is not awarded on a whim; it is based on mileage and usage, and is done in a sensible way—and the money was awarded fairly under that process. As I said in answer to the previous question, it is all very well criticising us, but we set out clear plans to support bus services in our announcement last month. Labour Members have made no pledges on buses; it is all on rail. Is that because ASLEF pays their wages and they are not interested in buses, which twice as many people use compared with rail services?

[Nicola Richards (West Bromwich East) (Con)]

8. What steps he is taking to help improve the (a) market share and (b) availability of electric vehicles.